Dubai ruler ordered hacking of ex-wife’s phone during custody battle, court finds

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The ruler of Dubai authorised the hacking of his former wife and her lawyers’ phones with multi-million-pound spyware during a legal battle over their two children, the High Court has found. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum gave his “express or implied authority” for the phone of his sixth wife, Princess Haya bint Al Hussein to be infiltrated with Pegasus spyware the court ruled. The vice-president and prime minister of the United Arab Emirates, who was previously found to have conducted a “campaign of fear and intimidation” against Princess Haya, authorised the use of Pegasus on Princess Haya’s solicitors, her personal assistant and two members of her security team, it was found. “He has not authorised it or instructed, encouraged or in any way suggested any other person should use NSO or any software in this way.” Mohammed and Haya have been involved in a long, bitter and expensive custody battle since she fled to Britain with their two children.